BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The LIU men's soccer team will wrap up the regular season over the next two weeks, taking on the three toughest teams in the Northeast Conference. The Blackbirds start the challenging slate Friday, October 27, hosting Bryant at 5 p.m. on LIU Field, before traveling across the river to face of against FDU, Sunday, October 29 at 4:30 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
LIU took on the Pennsylvania contingent of the NEC last weekend, notching a 2-1 win against last year's runner up Saint Francis U., before falling in a tough decision to Robert Morris Sunday, 1-0.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
Entering the final two weeks of the season, the top spot in the NEC is still up for grabs. St. Francis Brooklyn currently leads the pack with a 3-0-1 league record, while LIU is right behind in second place, at 3-1-0.
Bryant is 2-1-1, and next in the standings, but tied for third with FDU, CCSU and RMU, who are all 2-2-1.
Bryant will take on LIU and SFBK this weekend, while the Terriers host CCSU before their contest with the Bulldogs. Robert Morris still has Sacred Heart and SFU on their slate. A lot could come down to the final day of league play, when CCSU and Bryant face off, and LIU hosts St. Francis Brooklyn on LIU Field.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Bryant comes into the weekend at 2-8-2 overall, but heavy with experience in extra time. Four out of their last five games have gone to double overtime. Most recently, the Bulldogs recorded a 2-1 win over Sacred Heart in extra periods. They've also tied Robert Morris, 1-1 and lost to SFU 1-0 on 2OT. Their lone game in the past few weeks to be won in regulation was a 2-0 defeat of Fairleigh Dickinson in Rhode Island in the league opener.
The Bulldogs have not been an offensive force to start the year, as they were held scoreless in their first eight games, and have scored only five goals since then. But senior Nick Stewart has held it down in net for Bryant. The goalie ranks second in the conference with a .812 save percentage, and is third with a 1.03 goals against average.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS
FDU had one of the best starts in the league in non-conference play, going 5-0-1 in August and early September, earning a regional ranking. They're now 9-4-2, but have had a rocky start in NEC action. The Knights lost to Bryant in the first NEC game, and also fell to SFBK right after that. They bounced back to beat SFU in overtime, and Robert Morris on the road, before tying CCSU 1-1 last week. FDU is coming off a win, though, having beaten Howard in a midweek non-conference matchup, 2-1.
Offensively, the Knights have a mixture of experience and fresh blood. Redshirt junior forward Ahu Obhakhan is the team's leading scorer, with six goals and two assists. Junior forward Fredinho Mompremier and freshman forward Jacob Labovitz both have five goals for FDU so far, while freshman forward Diego Arribas has seven assists to lead the squad.
In the net, freshman goalie Jahmali Waite has been a huge addition. The Philadelphia, Pa. native currently leads the conference with a .839 save percentage, and is second in the NEC with a 0.93 goals against average.
UP NEXT
The Blackbirds wrap up the regular season, hosting St. Francis Brooklyn on LIU Field, Friday, November 3 at 1 p.m.